Birds shot down in debut

ANY BELIEF that Moroka Swallows will make an immediate return to the Absa Premiership will probably have to be reconsidered, at least if the Birds’ opening match in the National First Division (NFD) is anything to go by.

Swallows were beaten 2-0 by Cape Town All Stars to mark the beginning of their life in the unfamiliar territory of lower division football. And the team that boasts a number of former South African internationals in the likes of Siyabonga Nomvethe, Dikgang Mabalane and Josta Dladla were given a rude welcome to the NFD by a home side that dominated proceedings for most of the 90 minutes.

Such was Stars’ control of the match that they forced Sabelo Madi to score an own goal before Houston Hills made victory certain with a sweet grass-cutter – both goals coming in the second half.

But if Swallows seemed to struggle to find their footing, there were no such problems for AmaZulu – the other team that was relegated from the elite league. Usuthu enjoyed a home win beating Witbank Spurs 1-0 courtesy of a Bornwel Mwape strike.

There was also success for Black Leopards – the Thohoyandou-based outfit that was involved in the play-offs for promotion alongside Swallows and Jomo Cosmos, who made the leap up to the Absa Premiership.

Lidoda Duvha beat Milano United 2-0 with striker Roggert Nyundu scoring one of the goals to show that his failure to secure a move to a Premiership side had not diminished his appetite for finding the net. Thembisani Nevhulamba scored the other goal at Thohoyandou Stadium.

The opening weekend of the NFD produced 18 goals with rookies Mbombela United and veteran campaigners of the division Thanda Royal Zulu producing a sixgoal thriller. United began like a house on fire as they raced to a 3-0 lead only for Thanda’s experience to come to the fore and see the KZN side forcing a share of the spoils with an incredible come back in rainy conditions.

African Warriors and FC Cape Town contributed five goals in a 3-2 bonanza won by the Free State side.